Here's an idea I have been trying and LOVE!!!

I own many workout dvd's, but have a small apartment. So I really have to watch how and where I move. I really enjoy my Taebo and the Biggest Loser workout dvd's, but after awhile they get awfully boring sitting and watching the tv in my dinky apartment. So I used a DVD Audio ripper to take just the audio track from these workouts. Basically what I end up with are the entire workout worth of music and instructions/coaching, but it is now an MP3. I pop that on the the MP3 player and head for the park. After watching the DVD's at home so many times I know all the moves, but it is hard to remember the exact timing and order without the DVD. But not so any more!

Billy Blanks and Bob come to the park with me! Now I go out to the park on weekend mornings and do a full aerobics or taebo routine without messing up or missing anything, but I am now doing it on soft grass, in the shade of beautiful palm trees and amongst blooming flowers.... Gorgeous!

Of course there is one downside, at least to some people. And that is people will notice you doing these exercises as they walk past. They wont hear the music or the coaching, so they will have no idea what you are really doing. Some folks might find that a little embarassing I suppose if they are shy or not yet that comfortable with their bodies. Took me awhile to get over it, but once I did I loved it. If you have a backyard (I dont) then that makes it even easier since you wont have the gawker situation (perhaps an overly confused neighbor, cat, dog or chipmunk)

Here in China I get heaps of gawkers. But that said, I get heaps of gawkers EVERYWHERE in China. Thats simply what they do to foreigners here. When I am doing the aerobics I have literally had 10+ people stop at once to watch. I just tune them out and keep going. If I really want to play with them I try to encourage them to join me. Another way to get the crowd moving is to throw in a wink or suggestive look, which when coming from a large sweaty white guy gets even the most curious on their way. But as I said, now that I am much more confident with myself, I love it, even the attention. When I do the taebo I am sure people think I am practicing some killer western martial art, and they pretty much stay away anyways. I have come to the ultimate conclusion that the people staring and gawking don't change who I am or why I am doing my exercises, so I could give a rats you know what about what they think of me doing it.

So there you go. Tired of the boring old humdrum home workout? Take it outside on a sunny day! There are many free and retail DVD audio rippers out there to make that DVD into an MP3. Its a great way to take that exercise you love and do it in an all new environment. I will take the grassy park over my small little tile floored apartment any day.

sirant